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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Big changes in Post Athletics Department

Post University head baseball coach A.J. McNamara stepped
down from his position on Monday after eight years at the helm. He’s not going far
though, as he has been promoted to a newly created position within the athletics department, Athletics Operations Manager. In this role he will assist
in all aspects of administration within the department.

Of the 14 schools within the Central Atlantic CollegiateConference (CACC), Post has the largest athletics department, with 18 NCAA
Division II programs, a sprint football team and three equestrian teams. Due to the size of Post’s athletics
department, newly appointed Athletic Director Mike Mannetti felt the department
could use additional support in some areas. The newly created position will
address the areas of contest management and internal management operations in
terms of games, schedules, contracts, game day operations and supervision.

A.J. McNamara (left) stepped down as Head Coach of Post Baseball to take over a newly created position in the Athletics Department.

It will also free up Mike Brienza, who previously handled some
of these responsibilities, as well as several others in the athletics
department. Brienza has his plate full as the head women’s volleyball coach,
assistant softball coach, and contest manager as well as coordinating all of
the work study students within the athletics department.

McNamara was named head baseball coach in 2007 and took over
a team that hadn’t posted a winning season since 1995. He quickly turned things
around and won a program record 25 games in 2008. In 2010, the Eagles advanced
to the CACC Championship game. Over eight seasons, he compiled the most wins in
program history with a record of 167-174-2 and mentored 22 All-CACC and five
All-Region honorees.

After spending the past seven years as associate head
baseball coach, Ray Ricker will take over the top spot and usher in a new
chapter of Post baseball. During his tenure at Post, Ricker has worked predominantly
with the hitters and helped lead the Eagles to the CACC batting title twice and
tallied the most triples in Division II in 2009.

Ricker has also been involved in collegiate summer baseball
for many years. In 2013, he was the hitting coach for the Bourne Braves in the
prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. With the Braves, he coached catcher Max
Pentecost, the 2013 CCBL MVP and the 11th overall pick in the most
recent Major League Baseball draft.

Off the field, Ricker has spearheaded
the “Sacrifice Fly” community service campaign. Last year his team painted the
teen center at the Waterbury Boys and Girls Club and cooked meals at the Ronald
McDonald House in New Haven.

Please join me in congratulating them both on their
opportunities and in helping the athletics department move forward as it
continues to grow!